UF promotes Durkin to replace Quinn

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 18, 2013 at 12:23 a.m.

In a matter of only hours Thursday, the Florida Gators lost one defensive coordinator and gained another.

Not long after the news broke that Dan Quinn was returning to the NFL to become the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator, UF coach Will Muschamp announced the promotion of linebackers coach and special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin to defensive coordinator.

“I'm happy for Dan and this opportunity,” Muschamp said in a UF news release. “I've said before that I always encourage my staff when opportunities arise to take the next step in their career. Dan's background is in the NFL and this is a great chance to go back to a place he's familiar with.

“D.J. and I will run the defense, continuing the way that Dan and I did for the past two years. We will look to add another coach that is the best fit for our staff moving forward.”

Durkin, who was brought to UF by Urban Meyer in 2010, will continue to coach the UF linebackers. Promoting Durkin also should help the Gators preserve their defensive recruiting class. Durkin is considered one of the strongest recruiters on the UF staff.

“I wish Coach Quinn the best. A pretty big loss, but life goes on. We'll be fine,” UF defensive back commit Keanu Neal wrote on his Twitter account.

With so many NFL job openings, coupled with the job Quinn has done in making Florida's defense one of the best in college football, it seemed inevitable Quinn would have an opportunity to return to pro football as a defensive coordinator soon.

That opportunity came Thursday.

Only hours after Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was announced as Jacksonville's new head coach, the Seahawks announced on Twitter they had replaced Bradley with Quinn, who served as the team's defensive line coach under Bradley for two years before coming to UF in 2011.

In the second season under Quinn, the Florida defense emerged as one of the strongest in the nation in 2012, finishing fifth in the nation in scoring defense (14.5 points a game) and in total defense (287.5 yards a game).

Quinn said near the end of the season that he was really enjoying his college coaching experience and could see himself remaining at UF for a considerable time. He said one of the great things about the job was developing young players.

But the opportunity to return the Seattle as the defensive coordinator was too good for Quinn to pass up. He had a chance to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator a year ago, but elected to stay.

DUNKER RELEASED FROM JAIL: Florida offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker was released from the Alachua County Jail. Judge Denise R. Ferrero released Dunker on his own recognizance, a day after the redshirt freshman was arrested and charged with stealing a scooter. Ferrero told Dunker to have no contact with the alleged victim. Dunker is charged with vehicle theft, a third-degree felony, and driving with a suspended license, a misdemeanor.

QB BRISSETT TRANSFERS: Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is transferring to North Carolina State from Florida. N.C. State said Brissett will sit out this season and have two years of eligibility beginning in 2014. Brissett made three starts and played in 13 games during two seasons with the Gators but was behind Jeff Driskel on the depth chart. He was 23 of 35 for 249 yards and a touchdown in 2012.

<p>In a matter of only hours Thursday, the Florida Gators lost one defensive coordinator and gained another. </p><p> Not long after the news broke that Dan Quinn was returning to the NFL to become the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator, UF coach Will Muschamp announced the promotion of linebackers coach and special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin to defensive coordinator. </p><p> “I'm happy for Dan and this opportunity,” Muschamp said in a UF news release. “I've said before that I always encourage my staff when opportunities arise to take the next step in their career. Dan's background is in the NFL and this is a great chance to go back to a place he's familiar with. </p><p> “D.J. and I will run the defense, continuing the way that Dan and I did for the past two years. We will look to add another coach that is the best fit for our staff moving forward.” </p><p> Durkin, who was brought to UF by Urban Meyer in 2010, will continue to coach the UF linebackers. Promoting Durkin also should help the Gators preserve their defensive recruiting class. Durkin is considered one of the strongest recruiters on the UF staff. </p><p> “I wish Coach Quinn the best. A pretty big loss, but life goes on. We'll be fine,” UF defensive back commit Keanu Neal wrote on his Twitter account. </p><p> Defensive end commit Jordan Sherit tweeted: “It's still Muschamp's defense. I wish Coach Quinn nothing but the best, one of the realest coaches I've ever met. Go Gators.” </p><p> With so many NFL job openings, coupled with the job Quinn has done in making Florida's defense one of the best in college football, it seemed inevitable Quinn would have an opportunity to return to pro football as a defensive coordinator soon. </p><p> That opportunity came Thursday. </p><p> Only hours after Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was announced as Jacksonville's new head coach, the Seahawks announced on Twitter they had replaced Bradley with Quinn, who served as the team's defensive line coach under Bradley for two years before coming to UF in 2011. </p><p> In the second season under Quinn, the Florida defense emerged as one of the strongest in the nation in 2012, finishing fifth in the nation in scoring defense (14.5 points a game) and in total defense (287.5 yards a game). </p><p> Quinn said near the end of the season that he was really enjoying his college coaching experience and could see himself remaining at UF for a considerable time. He said one of the great things about the job was developing young players. </p><p> But the opportunity to return the Seattle as the defensive coordinator was too good for Quinn to pass up. He had a chance to become the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator a year ago, but elected to stay.</p><p><b>DUNKER RELEASED FROM JAIL:</b> Florida offensive lineman Jessamen Dunker was released from the Alachua County Jail. Judge Denise R. Ferrero released Dunker on his own recognizance, a day after the redshirt freshman was arrested and charged with stealing a scooter. Ferrero told Dunker to have no contact with the alleged victim. Dunker is charged with vehicle theft, a third-degree felony, and driving with a suspended license, a misdemeanor.</p><p><b>QB BRISSETT TRANSFERS:</b> Quarterback Jacoby Brissett is transferring to North Carolina State from Florida. N.C. State said Brissett will sit out this season and have two years of eligibility beginning in 2014. Brissett made three starts and played in 13 games during two seasons with the Gators but was behind Jeff Driskel on the depth chart. He was 23 of 35 for 249 yards and a touchdown in 2012.</p>